Monday, November 30, 2020

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 11/30/2020

San Francisco’s stunner, Richmond’s rise and more: This Week in Mid-Major--The Athletic

Mid-bits 

• OK, it’s time to take my lumps. I had Northern Iowa ranked first in the preseason mid-major top 10, putting myself on a bit of an island. The Panthers are now 0-3 after a disastrous showing in the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic, and they didn’t even face a power-conference opponent. After losing to Western Kentucky, they blew a 16-point second-half lead to Saint Mary’s and an eight-point second-half advantage against Utah State. Not great, Bob!

I am by no means out on this team yet. It should be pointed out that Trae Berhow, who was the team’s second-leading scorer and one of the best 3-point shooters in the nation last season, did not play in South Dakota because of COVID-19 protocols. If he’s in the lineup, UNI might hold on in the two games in which it held a late lead. But the margin of error is all but gone now for an at-large bid, and some of the concerns about this team — namely, defense, rebounding and toughness — were on display last week. For now, the Panthers are out of the mid-major top 10.

Mid-major top 10

5. Loyola Chicago (0-0): The Ramblers will restart team activities this week after a two-week pause for positive COVID-19 tests. When will they actually play? Good question, as the team has yet to release a schedule. We’re still looking forward to seeing this bunch play … whenever that is. PR: 5

Crazy Covid Season Has Begun--Valley Hoops Insider
Illinois College Basketball Power Rankings: November 28--Off The Inbound

2. Bradley (2-1)

Bradley was close to a perfect 3-0 weekend at the Xavier MTE, but the Braves still turned in a good showing, with victories coming over Toledo (61-59) and Oakland (74-60). The newcomers were the story, though. Redshirt junior George Washington transfer Terry Nolan, Jr. hit the game-winning putback against Toledo and made the all-tournament team, and freshman Darius Hannah threw down a dunk that shook Cincinnati. 

With senior Elijah Childs leading the way, Bradley could make noise in the Missouri Valley once again this season.

6. Illinois State (1-1)

Illinois State managed to get into the Ohio State MTE to start the year and struggled mightily, falling to a tough No. 23 Ohio State team 94-67. The Redbirds shook it off to beat UMass Lowell 82-72, despite nearly blowing a 20-point lead.

The Redbirds have a lot of question marks this year, especially after lone senior Keith Fisher III opted out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns. It’s hard to see them doing much in the MVC, and Dan Muller’s crew could be in for another rough go this season.


Bradley men's basketball game with St. Joseph postponed because of positive test on Hawks--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley's Hersey Hawkins headed to National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame--Peoria Journal Star
Bradley’s Game Against Saint Joseph’s Postponed--bradleybraves.com
Hawkins Earns National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Call--bradleybraves.com


Bulldogs Week In Review - Nov. 23-29--godrakebulldogs.com

Berg Named MVC Women’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week--godrakebulldogs.com


Evansville women's basketball team expects to be better this season--Evansville Courier & Press


Watch now: Illinois State to entertain high-scoring Division III Greenville on Wednesday--The Pantagraph
Redbirds add Greenville at home for Wednesday--Vidette Online


Sycamore women win at Detroit Mercy--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Latu’s Six Triples Lead Sycamores Past Titans, 84-79--gosycamores.com



Raca leads Wake Forest women over No. 24 Missouri State--Associated Press
11/30 Women's Basketball Players of the Week--College Sports Madness


MVC College Basketball LogoMissouri ValleyBrice CalipGMissouri State

No. 24 MSU Lady Bears have letdown loss to Wake Forest--Springfield News-Leader
Wake Forest Upsets No. 24 Lady Bears, 68-59--missouristatebears.com
MSU’s Calip Named MVC Player of the Week--missouristatebears.com


Podcast: Over-reacting to Northern Iowa, Western Kentucky, and Richmond--Mid-Major Madness


MVC Power Rankings: Drake rises, UNI falls in opening days--Southern Illinoisan


Women’s Basketball Drops Season Opener at BGSU--valpoathletics.com


MVC MBB Notebook (N30)--The Missouri Valley

MVC Women's Basketball Weekly Notebook - Nov. 30--The Missouri Valley

No comments:

Post a Comment